Old Cow Health

[Hardin Farms]

We have an older cow here on the farm that has been losing body score recently. She is going to be around 15-18 years old so i know she is at the end of here life span, but we wanted to try to get one more calf in hopes we could retain a heifer from her. I have been contemplating sectioning her off from the rest of the herd and keeping hay and grain in front of her to increase body condition. We have pretty a pretty good stand of grass and she has been dewormed as well. Will grain help here? I am assuming she has little to no teeth left, but has held up good up until this past year. Would liquid feed be a better option or should we just let her go on her own? She is the only cow in the herd that holds a sentimental value for us.

 

[Ebenezer]

She probably cannot compete like she used and needs separation and energy. It can be corn or something like Mix 30. But do not put her where she cannot walk some as she will still need some exercise.

 

[CG1]

I agree with the above comment. I have one older girl in my group who is also smaller and seems to thin out really fast. I just feed her alone at least a few times a week. I give her lots of grain for just her and her calf and I will block the others. We had a cow this age a few years ago. We had to leave her with a bull for over a year but she did get pregnant and give us a calf. And of course, it was a bull calf.

 

[Nesikep]

I had a really good cow of similar age, toofless and had arthritis in one of her hips.. I kept her away from the bull on some better pasture, she got about 5 lbs of grain twice a week (really not much) and she raised one of the biggest calves that year
She may have been old but she had 20/20 vision for that grain bucket, and forgot all about her arthritis to get it

These are my last pics of her before I put her down.. that daughter is now 7

 

[bird dog]

I have one that I turned in to the weaned calves that are being pre-conditioned so she has some grain and decent hay. She is still nursing a calf and the poor conditions of my pastures this year have really dragged her down. I plan on sending her to the packers so this is just an easy way labor wise to put a few lbs. on and let her raise her calf on out.

As a bonus, an old cow is a calming presence when she is with a bunch of fresh weaned calves. It gives them some security is my guess.

 

[Hardin Farms]

Thanks for the advice guys. She still moves well, albeit slow. That may play to her advantage though. Since she is usually the last in the feedlot, i can easily feed her separately. She has a nose for the bucket as well. Corn gluten is in abundance in our area, would that be a good grain option?

I cant send this one to the packers. She was my wife's first cow from her grandfather 10 years ago. Now that we own the property he farmed on (where the cow was born) the cow will be laid to rest here.

 

[Hardin Farms]

I agree with the above comment. I have one older girl in my group who is also smaller and seems to thin out really fast. I just feed her alone at least a few times a week. I give her lots of grain for just her and her calf and I will block the others. We had a cow this age a few years ago. We had to leave her with a bull for over a year but she did get pregnant and give us a calf. And of course, it was a bull calf.

I believe her to be bred judging by her belly and udders. I pulled a calf from her in july or august hoping she would pick back up, but she just hasn't. I think she should be due within the next month. She has brought a bull for the past 3 years. Around the time we started talking about keeping a replacement heifer from her.... She must think she can hold out a few more years!! :lol:

 

[Nesikep]

I agree with the above comment. I have one older girl in my group who is also smaller and seems to thin out really fast. I just feed her alone at least a few times a week. I give her lots of grain for just her and her calf and I will block the others. We had a cow this age a few years ago. We had to leave her with a bull for over a year but she did get pregnant and give us a calf. And of course, it was a bull calf.

I believe her to be bred judging by her belly and udders. I pulled a calf from her in july or august hoping she would pick back up, but she just hasn't. I think she should be due within the next month. She has brought a bull for the past 3 years. Around the time we started talking about keeping a replacement heifer from her.... She must think she can hold out a few more years!! :lol:

I was lucky with mine, she had 11 heifers, never kept a bull from her but I have from 2 of her daughters... She's buried here as well.